Voters flock to the Commission on Elections office to register for the elections. Rem Zamora for ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA - The Commission on Elections has announced the suspension of voter registration during the period for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy for all elective positions for the 2016 elections scheduled on October 12-16, 2015.
This means that eligible voters who have yet to register, or validate their registration, have less than a month before the deadline of registration on October 31, 2015.
Comelec officials said they are happy with the notable increase in the number of registered voters starting this year, now totaling 52.3 million this July. The number of voters without biometrics have also decreased steadily to 3.1 million.
The Comelec attributes the figures in large part to mall registration, which consistently drew large crowds. The poll body also pointed out an increase in the number of filers coming to local Comelec offices.
Still, the poll body said they are anticipating the usual influx of last minute filers starting a few days before the October 31 deadline.
Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the poll body will be coming out with a new game plan to address the problem at least two weeks before the deadline.
"We'll try to manage it better now, because ultimately, the more people who want to register, the better for everyone," Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.
Still, the Comelec is firm that there will be no extension of the deadline.
"Problema sa extension is that it really throws off everything else that comes after registration," Jimenez said. "After registration, gagawin na pag-aallocate, yung pagdedetermina kung ilan balota, syempre kasama na rin dyan yung mismong paghahanda sa halalan na. Magiging atrasado tayo kapag nag-extend tayo."
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